scleroderma

[tirath]

Scleroderma is an autoimmune disease of the connective tissue featuring skin thickening, spontaneous scarring, blood vessel disease, varying degrees of inflammation, associated with an overactive immune system. Autoimmune diseases are illnesses which occur when the body’s tissues are attacked by its own immune system. Scleroderma is characterized by the formation of scar tissue (fibrosis) in the skin and organs of the body. This leads to thickness and firmness of involved areas. Scleroderma, when it’s diffuse or widespread over the body, is also referred to as systemic sclerosis.

The cause of scleroderma is not known. Researchers have found some evidence that certain genes are important factors, but the environment seems to also play a role. The result is activation of the immune system in a susceptible individual, causing injury to tissues that result in injury similar to scar-tissue formation. The fact that genes seem to cause a predisposition to developing scleroderma means that inheritance at least plays a partial role. It is not unusual to find other autoimmune diseases in families of scleroderma patients. Some evidence for the role genes may play in leading to the development of scleroderma comes from the study of Choctaw Native Americans who are the group with the highest reported prevalence of the disease. The disease is more frequent in females than in males.

        

[tirath]

Systemic sclerosis (SSc), commonly known as scleroderma, can cause jaw bone resorption and tooth root resorption which can cause ligament loosening. The results of this are that teeth may loosen, crack, and either fall out or need to be extracted.

        

[sushantpatel_doc]

How will scleroderma or progressive systemic sclerosis affect your dental treatment?
Scleroderma is a disease that hardens the skin especially the skin on your hands and the skin on your face. Your lips and your tongue may become firm, the opening of your mouth may narrow, and the folds of skin near your mouth disappear. In short, your face will look like a mask. If the skin and muscles around your jaw get affected by scleroderma then movement in your jaw is significantly reduced.

Scleroderma makes it hard for your dentist to see and treat your mouth especially your back teeth. As your mouth becomes narrower, your lips become more rigid, and your tongue becomes more inflexible, then it may be difficult for your dentist to prepare crowns, dentures, and other dental appliances. It is important that you exert all your efforts in keeping your teeth and your gums healthy in order to prevent losing your teeth.

Scleroderma patients can also have oral problems because of the medications they take. The most frequent problems they encounter are dry mouth or xerostomia, cavities, gum overgrowth, and periodontal gum disease.

You should always tell your dentist about the medications you take and their respective dosages so that your dentist can take the necessary precautions to reduce infection, minimize bleeding, and prevent other negative side effects. Your dentist must also know if your disease has affected any of your other organs because this will affect your dental treatment. For instance, if scleroderma has affected your kidneys then you may not be capable of processing medications properly.

As far as dental care is concerned, scleroderma has a big impact. For example, if scleroderma has affected your lower jaw then the bone could break easily because of more painstaking dental treatments like tooth extractions. Moreover, dental procedures may take longer because you have a hard time opening your mouth.

        

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